AN: I hope you enjoy this small, short story ( i know its short, non of my others will be though). And no its not Guinevere. Please review of you feel like it!

Courage

"Your words are my food, your breath my wine. You are everything to me."
-Sarah Bernhardt-

One

The horse shies away as the small, slender hand reaches out to stroke the soft whiskery muzzle. The woman's breath is an icy cloud in the cold winter air and the chilly wind ruffles the coppery curls, bring the scent of lavender to the still and cold air. The young noblewoman takes a step back as the mighty animal before her tosses its proud head and lest out a mighty snort.

Against her back she could feel the cold steel of the knight's armor, feel the even and steady breath and its soft touch on the back of her neck. The dark knight grins and rests his large hands on her much smaller shoulders, the soft wool of her gown soft and light against the battle-worn and scarred skin of the hands. " He will not harm you lady. Tis nothing to be frightened off." his whispers are soft and reassuring in her ear as the young woman takes another steps closer to this war horse.

This giant gray ghost that frightens her so. The stallion snorts again and stares at her with fierce black eyes. The horse bobs its head, the reins jiggling. Her knight walks slowly around and calms his mount with soft soothing words, the hands stroking the strong, proud arched neck. The woman watches from a safe distance as Galahad eased the stallion's uneasiness. The failing snow is brilliantly white against the disheveled raven-wing black curls. The knights turns back to her and smiles, a hand out to her. The noblewoman takes the hand and stares deeply in the stormy blue eyes, finding courage and trust.

Galahad smiles at her and draws her slowly closer and she comes, her feet softly crunching in the snow. The stallion eye her wearily and shook, droplet of melted snow coming off the shaggy gray coat. Galahad smiles even more and she glances quickly down at their feet. " What frightens you so lady? Surely not my horse? You, a lady of the Queen's train of Woad ladies, frightened of a war horse? You have faced deadlier enemies then I and my steed. Will you not coma closer?" he asks softly and his eyes are warm and welcoming.

She comes closer and hesitantly touches the silky mane. The horse snorts and turns to look at her. Galahad smile widens as his horse reaches out to nuzzle the lavender wool gown. The woman gasps softly and smiles in sheer delight." A fine animal you have here Sir Galahad. He must make you every proud." she whispers and her rich voice is like music and wine to his ears.

The knight nods and strokes the stallion's white star. " Would you like to ride him?" he asks softly. Their eyes meet and the woman smiles slightly. " I do not know how..." her voice trails away as the knight came closer to her. The dark eyes searched her own forest green ones and his full lips turns up in a half-smile.

He takes her hand in his own and wraps the other one around her waist. Her breath hitches in her throat at his soft touch as he brings her closer to the still horse. Now both of his hands are resting on her hips ready to life her up on this giant gray mountain before. The young woman takes a deep breath and she feels his lips against her ear. " Courage milady. Courage is what it takes to ride." his whisper send shivers through her frame as he sets her upon the saddle. He jumps up behind her. His arms wrap around her waist, holding her tight against him as he kicks his stallion into a slow canter through the snow.